Super Typhoon Fung-wong Spurs Massive Evacuation in the Philippines

In a photograph courtesy of the Malacanang Presidential Communications Office, the aftermath of Typhoon Kalmaegi's destruction is evident, with demolished homes lining the Mananga Bridge in Talisay, Cebu Province, central Philippines, as captured on November 7, 2025.

MANILA, Philippines — As Super Typhoon Fung-wong approached, becoming the most formidable storm to challenge the Philippines this year, the northeast regions began to feel its impact ahead of its predicted landfall on Sunday. The storm led to power outages, the forced evacuation of nearly a million residents, and a stern warning from the defense officials to vacate high-risk areas promptly.

Boasting a formidable rain and wind radius of about 1,600 kilometers (approximately 994 miles), Fung-wong made its approach from the Pacific. This comes as the Philippines was still reeling from Typhoon Kalmaegi, which resulted in at least 224 fatalities across central islands on Tuesday before wreaking havoc in Vietnam.

State of Emergency and Government Response

With the aftermath of Kalmaegi and the impending threat of Fung-wong, which locals call Uwan, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a national state of emergency. This swift action underscores the severity of the situation.

With winds reaching 185 kilometers per hour (115 mph) and gusts hitting up to 230 kph (143 mph), Fung-wong was identified near Pandan in eastern Catanduanes province around midday Sunday. The storm's trajectory suggests an impending landfall in either Aurora or Isabela province by late Sunday or early Monday, according to meteorologists.

In local classifications, typhoons hitting sustained wind speeds of 185 kph or above are labeled as super typhoons, an effort to communicate the high danger levels associated with such weather events.

Evacuation and Preparations

Over 916,860 individuals fled from areas deemed particularly vulnerable, especially those in Bicol, a coastal area prone to both Pacific storms and volcanic mudflows from Mayon.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., charged with coordinating disaster and military responses, emphasized the potentially destructive force of Fung-wong during a Saturday broadcast. The storm's potential reach includes areas like Cebu and the bustling Manila metropolitan region, highlighting its extensive threat.

The disaster office noted that over 30 million residents could face risks from this powerful weather system, urging strict adherence to evacuations and protective measures.

International and Local Assistance

Despite the severe impact of Kalmaegi, the Philippines has not yet sought international aid. However, nations such as the United States and Japan stand ready to provide support if needed, as mentioned by Teodoro.

As the typhoon closed in, power failures plagued several eastern communities, compounding the urgent need for disaster preparedness and evacuation.

Pre-emptive closures of schools and civil services in northern regions likely to be affected started Monday. Flight operations suffered disruptions, with at least 325 domestic and 61 international journeys canceled, along with 6,600 travelers stranded at ports due to severe maritime conditions.

Warnings of perilous storm surges cresting over three meters (nearly 10 feet) have been issued for multiple coastal areas, bringing further urgency to the preparation efforts.

Philippines' Vulnerability to Natural Disasters

Being susceptible to about 20 typhoons annually alongside frequent seismic activity and hosting numerous active volcanoes, the Philippines is overwhelmingly one of the most disaster-exposed countries globally.